The Power of Women to Change Lives

UNITED WAY’S LEADERSHIP GIVING PROGRAM AND WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

United Way of Chatham-Kent, like many other United Ways across our country, welcomes the opportunity to say “thanks” to those who contribute to the annual campaign for funds. It is important to United Way that donors feel they are appreciated and know their gifts are making a difference.

Many years ago, the local United Way launched a Leadership Giving Program whereby annual campaign donors are recognized for gifts at various levels of financial support. Bronze Level Leaders are those who contribute $500 to $749, Silver Level Leaders contribute $750 to $999 and Gold Level Leaders contribute $1,000 to $1,999. In addition, there are other levels for those who give $2,000 to $4,999 – Leaders of Distinction, $5,000 to $9,999 – Leaders of Excellence and $10,000 and up – Leadership Circle.

Recognition – for those who give their permission – comes in the form of publishing individual names in an annual report or special insert. More than 90% of United Way’s donors are willing to lend their name for this purpose – happily demonstrating to others their commitment to the work of United Way and its funded agencies.

In September of 2007, United Way launched a new component of its Leadership Giving Program – the Women’s Leadership Council. This new WLC initiative is the first of its kind in Canada. Membership provides an opportunity for female “Leaders” to join others at the same level of giving – to network and collaborate in the identification and resolution of social problems. Working together, they use their collective power to provide a “hand up” to women and children who want to make positive changes in their lives.

Membership in the Women’s Leadership Council begins with an annual contribution of $1,000 or more to the United Way of Chatham-Kent. The first $500 of the donation is contributed to the United Way Community Fund for the members of the United Way family of agencies. The remainder is allocated to the WLC, other favourite registered charities and/or the Community Fund, at the donor’s discretion.

There are three WLC networking opportunities planned each year – a “Lunch and Learn” in the winter, a “Networking Breakfast” in the spring and a “Leading Ladies Event” in the summer/early fall. Invitations to the first two events are limited exclusively to members of the Women’s Leadership Council. As the “Leading Ladies Event” is an opportunity to showcase the grants allocated by the WLC, members are encouraged to bring up to three friends or colleagues who might consider membership in the United Way Women’s Leadership Council.

In addition to the three networking and social events, each year, the members of the WLC nominate specific causes that matter most to them and from this list, a membership poll is conducted to determine the project(s) to be funded each year.

If you are currently a female donor at the $1,000 level or more, you are already eligible for membership in the Women’s Leadership Council and United Way would love to hear from you.

In addition, if you are a male donor to United Way at the $1,000 level or more and would like an opportunity to sponsor (anonymously or otherwise) a female member into the Women’s Leadership Council, United Way would welcome your referral OR use your gift to choose a woman in our community to join the WLC. This is an exciting opportunity to grow membership in this community building project.

For further information about United Way’s Leadership Giving Program and the United Way Women’s Leadership Council, please contact United Way’s Executive Director, Karen Kirkwood-Whyte at 519-354-0430 or e-mail her at karen@unitedway.chatham-kent.on.ca.

To view the Women’s Leadership Council brochure click here

To view the Women’s Leadership Council Newsletter click here

To view the Women’s Leadership Council grant information click here